Voter ID: the time for action is now

2 million people lack the basic forms of ID they need to make voting simple. It's time to change that.

As we write, the UK general election is days away. You may know the result when you come to read this.

One thing is certain: the government will be shaped differently.

The run-up to an election is the perfect time to talk about voter ID and what it means for inclusive democracy. We haven’t been quiet on this subject.

But when the next government is formed, the time for urgent action begins.

In the UK, 2 million people lack the basic forms of ID they need to make voting simple. Proportionately, members of minority communities are more affected. This has to change.

We built Vouchsafe to make it easy for everyone to prove who they are. It’s founded on vouching: the idea that someone you trust can verify who you are. (Read more about how Vouchsafe works.)

We’re talking to and working with national governments to help open up access to vital services.

But we’re determined to take a crack at voter ID. Helping everyone exercise their basic democratic rights is the nucleus of an inclusive society.

5 years is enough

Our motivations are societal, not political. We don’t think there’s anything contentious in striving to make important services accessible to all. 

But we’d be foolish not to capitalise when the prevailing winds are fair.

If improving our electoral system is on the next government’s radar, Vouchsafe is an easy win. It’s a technology solution to a process problem, not a constitutional intervention.

Once the electoral chips have landed, if you know someone—or know someone who knows someone—please put this under their nose. 

We have 5 years to make the next general election much more inclusive. That is plenty of time. If we start now.

Talk to us: hello@vouchsafe.id